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LEGION POST'S PLEA FOR HELP MEETS WITH
RESISTANCE --
"You solicit financial help from the public
that includes
veterans that are not considered worthy
enough to be included as members."

Be sure to read the two comments after
the plea for help.
Story here...
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/
pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070326/OPI
NION/703260306/1005/OPINION
Story below:
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Legion needs help
As chaplain of the Sons of The American Legion Post 82 in Endicott, I
feel it my duty to make the public aware that our post building on
Riverview Drive is in serious disrepair. Most importantly, the
building's roof needs to be replaced and the interior of the building is
suffering from leaks.
Although the current membership strives to keep the place in decent
condition, funds have dwindled and help is seriously needed. Surely
there are people in the community who can step up, show their support to
the veterans and help keep a useful building from falling into further
distress.
It is the goal of members at the post to work hard to preserve this
building but like many, they find that times are tough. A salute to your
veterans by way of a lending hand would be an honor well- deserved.
Thank you.
Rich Wilson
Endicott
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Rich,
Isn't the legion a national org? If so go to them for help. Also, have a
sale and earn some funds. Repair one item at a time. Go on the internet
and look for other posts and ask them for help. I live in Hawaii and a
high school class I visit to teach ocean science needed funds to build
an underwater robot. I went on the enternet and found a $5,000 grant
from a community college in Florida. Talk to the local Boy Scouts and
see if there is a boy needing an Eagle project. Just asking for money
just ain't gonna happen. You have to make it happen. We recently had a
silent auction for a local school. Music was provided and people donated
something to be auctioned off. The school raised $200,000. Think out of
the box. You can do it!
Mahalo! Stu.
Posted by: stu.burley on Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:37 am
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Sorry Rich, I'm a veteran and a 30 year member of the Legion but you're
wrong on this one. As I'm sure you know, not every honorably discharged
veteran is allowed to join if they don't fall within the eligibility
dates currently in use by the legion. For example, if a person served in
the armed forces from May 8, 1975 - August 23, 1982, he/she is not
allowed to join because they fall between the Vietnam Era and the
Lebanon/Grenada Era. There are several other examples that result in
thousands of potential members being excluded through no fault of their
own. I realize it takes an act of Congress to change these rules but
what actions are your members, or those in Broome County for that
matter, taking to try to get that done? I'd be willing to bet you don't
get 10% of your membership to come to meetings on a regular basis. Yet
you solicit financial help from the public that includes veterans that
are not considered worthy enough to be included as members. Your
situation is not unique Rich, but until all legionnaires do everything
possible to help themselves, how can you possibly have the audacity to
expect help from outside your membership?
Posted by: Mytwocents on Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:10 am
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Larry Scott --